Dallas Market Center Presents Successful June Total Home & Gift Market

July 13, 2026  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry   

The Texas-Oklahoma-Louisiana-Arkansas (TOLA) region remained the market's home base, representing 77.9% of total new company registrations. But the sharpest growth came from further afield, with new companies from the Southwest, West, and Midwest all up compared to June 2025, evidence that Dallas is steadily expanding its reach as a national sourcing destination.

NEW SHOWROOMS RESHAPE THE CAMPUS

June 2026 marked a notable period of showroom growth for Dallas Market Center, with more than 100 brands moving into the first and second floors of the Interior Home + Design Center and new and expanded showrooms opening across the World Trade Center and Trade Mart.

In the World Trade Center: Brayden and Brooks (WTC 305-1), Craig Bachman (WTC 474), The Light Garden (WTC 306), and The Import Collection (WTC 511) all opened new showrooms, while Old World Design (WTC 521-C) expanded.

In the Trade Mart: B’s Knees Fragrance Co. (TM 1339) and Shine Décor (TM 1309) were new, while Roman Inc. (TM 1418), NextGen (TM 1028, 2040), and Roadrunners (TM 1743, 1521) all expanded. Elite Accessories (TM 1034) relocated and expanded.

In the Interior Home + Design Center: Ethan & Associates (IHDC 2F336), C. Maddox (IHDC 2F310), Design Directions (IHDC 2F423), and Rose Casual (IHDC 2F430) opened new showrooms. Corston (IHDC GL66A), Hue & Dot by Mirth Studio (IHDC 2F215-TS 9A), Nightscaping (IHDC GL84), Pom Pom at Home (IHDC 2F201), and Scandia Home (IHDC GL28) debuted at the market.

Sam Leiaghat, CEO of Pom Pom at Home, reflected on his showroom’s first market in its permanent space: “Opening our showroom here feels like a true grand opening in every sense, not just a new address, but a new chapter in how closely we can work with the clients who have supported us for so long. For years we exhibited in multiline showrooms, so having a dedicated space of our own here is a meaningful step forward for how our retailers and designers recognize and experience the brand.”

THE MASTERS SERIES AND SHOW HIGHLIGHTS

The Masters Series returned with daily live demonstrations from four tastemakers across the week. John Mark Sharpe, founder of John Mark Enterprises, opened the series on the World Trade Center atrium stage with “Beyond the Bow,” a live demonstration paired with a conversation about his career journey, and returned later in the week for a session on retail displays that drive sales, plus a meet-and-greet.

Reflecting on the market, Sharpe said: "Dallas Market Center is truly where community thrives and connections are made. It's been wonderful to feel the love from them and feel like part of the family so quickly. Thank you for creating a special community to not only do business in but create new ideas and concepts from business relationships to products. It's really been a treat to work with you all."

Also appearing on the Masters stage were Chris Norwood of Norwood Day Floral Co. with “The Art of Entertaining,” Presley Pierce with “Deck The Halls – Christmas in July” (with Sharpe making a surprise appearance) and “Styled for Summer – Your Guide for Gatherings,” and Jeff & Jody Long of The English Cottage live-styling an autumn display.

HONORING EXCELLENCE

The 75th annual Retailer Excellence Awards, sponsored by Dallas Market Center and hosted by Gifts & Decorative Accessories magazine, honored the gift industry's top retailers, reps, and vendors at the Hilton Anatole on June 24. The evening also included a special ceremony for the first-ever Diamond Retailers, who were announced earlier this year, in honor of the gala’s big anniversary.

During the event, Gift for Life honored founder Peter Schauben with its newly created Lifetime Humanitarian Award. Founded by Schauben in 1992, Gift for Life has united the gift, home, and stationery industries in support of charitable causes for more than 30 years. The evening raised a record-breaking $162,000 to benefit World Central Kitchen.

BEST VISUAL PRESENTATION AWARDS

Dallas Market Center recognized standout showroom and Temps merchandising with its Best Visual Presentation awards, along with a special Best of Show award in The Temps that went to Hunt Slonen. The remaining winners include:

Fosters Point (IHDC 01)

Rose Casual (IHDC 02)

Poetic Pillow (IHDC Gallery)

Hunt Slonen (Temps TM 01)

AntlerWorx (Temps WTC 11)

Fabuplates (Temps WTC 12)

Wipstitch Needleworks (Temps WTC 13)

Burton & Burton (TM 01)

Glitterville/Goetz (TM 02)

Eichholtz (TM 03)

Minka (TM 04)

Shadow Catchers (WTC 01)

Cody Foster (WTC 02)

Zucker Feather (WTC 03)

McMennemin Companies (WTC 04)

Hi End Design (WTC 05)

Cattlemen’s Home Interior (WTC 06)

PLANNING AHEAD: UPCOMING MARKETS

Future markets include the Dallas Men’s Show, July 25-27, 2026; August Apparel & Accessories Market and KidsWorld, August 18-21, 2026; WESA's International Western/English Apparel & Equipment Market, August 18-21, 2026; AETA International Trade Show, August 18-21, 2026; and next year’s Total Home & Gift Market, which includes The Temps, January 6-12, 2027.

For information about all upcoming markets and events, visit the Dallas Market Center website and download the new, completely redesigned Dallas Market Center mobile app. Stay current by visiting Dallas Market Center on Facebook, Instagram, and the DMC Daily Dose blog.